Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel, comprising: a substrate; an OLED structure, arranged on the substrate; an encapsulating layer, arranged on the OLED structure; wherein the OLED touch panel further comprises: a first conductive layer, arranged on the encapsulating layer, and comprising a plurality of first driving electrodes; a second conductive layer, arranged on the encapsulating layer, and comprising a plurality of first sensing electrodes; an insulating layer, covering the first conductive layer and configured to separate the first conductive layer from the second conductive layer; a sensing conductive layer, arranged on the insulating layer and contacting the plurality of first sensing electrodes; a third conductive layer, comprising a plurality of second driving electrodes; and a plurality of second sensing electrodes, arranged on the sensing conductive layer; the plurality of second sensing electrodes overlapping the plurality of first sensing electrodes one-on-one.
Technology Domain: Display Technology, Touch Sensing Problem: Integrating touch sensing functionality directly into an OLED display panel without compromising display quality or adding significant complexity. Summary: This invention describes an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel designed for integrated touch detection. The panel includes a substrate supporting an OLED structure and an encapsulating layer for protection. Above the encapsulating layer, a first conductive layer contains multiple first driving electrodes, and a second conductive layer contains multiple first sensing electrodes. An insulating layer separates these two conductive layers. A sensing conductive layer is positioned on top of the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the first sensing electrodes. Additionally, a third conductive layer is present, comprising multiple second driving electrodes, and multiple second sensing electrodes are arranged on the sensing conductive layer. Crucially, the second sensing electrodes are positioned to overlap each first sensing electrode individually. This arrangement allows for touch detection by sensing changes in capacitance or resistance as a finger or stylus interacts with the overlapping sensing electrodes.
2. The OLED touch panel of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive layer is indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide or silver nanowires (AgNW).
An OLED touch panel includes a first conductive layer that serves as both a touch sensor and an electrode for the OLED display. The first conductive layer is made from indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or silver nanowires (AgNW). These materials provide high transparency and conductivity, enabling the layer to function as a transparent electrode for the OLED while also detecting touch inputs. The use of ITO or IZO offers excellent optical properties and durability, while AgNW provides flexibility and cost efficiency. The conductive layer is integrated into the OLED structure, eliminating the need for a separate touch sensor layer, which simplifies manufacturing and reduces thickness. This design improves touch responsiveness and display performance by minimizing interference between the touch sensing and display functions. The panel is suitable for applications requiring high-resolution touchscreens, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. The materials used ensure compatibility with existing OLED fabrication processes while enhancing overall device performance.
3. The OLED touch panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second sensing electrodes and the third conductive layer are simultaneously formed by a second conductive material.
The invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel with an integrated touch sensing system. The problem addressed is the complexity and cost of manufacturing touch panels with separate conductive layers for display and touch sensing functions. Traditional designs require multiple deposition and patterning steps, increasing production time and material waste. The OLED touch panel includes a substrate with an OLED display layer and a touch sensing layer. The touch sensing layer comprises a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes. The first sensing electrodes are formed from a first conductive material and are electrically connected to a first conductive layer. The second sensing electrodes and a third conductive layer are simultaneously formed using a second conductive material, reducing manufacturing steps. The third conductive layer is electrically connected to the second sensing electrodes and may serve as a common electrode for the OLED display or as a ground layer for the touch sensing system. By forming the second sensing electrodes and the third conductive layer in a single process, the invention simplifies fabrication, reduces material usage, and improves alignment accuracy between layers. This integrated approach enhances production efficiency while maintaining touch sensitivity and display performance. The design is particularly useful for high-resolution OLED displays requiring precise touch sensing without additional conductive layers.
4. The OLED touch panel of claim 3 , wherein the second conductive material is a metal mesh.
The invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel with an improved conductive layer structure. OLED displays are increasingly used in touch-sensitive devices, but integrating touch functionality can degrade optical performance due to the conductive layers used for touch sensing. The invention addresses this by using a metal mesh as the second conductive material in the touch panel, which provides high conductivity while minimizing visual interference. The metal mesh is patterned to form touch electrodes, allowing for accurate touch detection without significantly reducing light transmission or contrast. This design improves both the touch sensitivity and display quality of OLED panels. The metal mesh is applied in a way that maintains the panel's flexibility and durability, making it suitable for modern flexible and foldable displays. The invention also includes additional conductive layers and insulating layers to ensure proper electrical isolation and signal integrity. The overall structure ensures that the touch functionality does not compromise the OLED's brightness or color accuracy, solving a key challenge in integrating touch and display technologies.
5. The OLED touch panel of claim 1 , wherein the OLED touch panel further comprises an isolating layer; the isolating layer is arranged on the sensing conductive layer and covers the first conductive layer; the isolating layer overlaps the insulating layer.
The invention relates to an OLED touch panel with an improved structure to enhance touch sensitivity and display performance. The OLED touch panel includes a substrate, an OLED display layer, a touch sensing layer, and an isolating layer. The OLED display layer is formed on the substrate and includes an insulating layer and a first conductive layer. The touch sensing layer is positioned above the OLED display layer and includes a sensing conductive layer for detecting touch inputs. The isolating layer is arranged on the sensing conductive layer and covers the first conductive layer, preventing electrical interference between the touch sensing layer and the OLED display layer. The isolating layer overlaps the insulating layer to ensure proper insulation and structural integrity. This design improves touch accuracy and reduces signal noise, enhancing the overall performance of the OLED touch panel. The isolating layer acts as a barrier, ensuring reliable touch detection while maintaining display quality. The invention addresses the challenge of integrating touch functionality with OLED displays without compromising performance.
6. The OLED touch panel of claim 5 , wherein the third conductive layer further comprises a second driving line adjacent to the second driving electrodes.
An OLED touch panel integrates touch sensing and display functions by incorporating conductive layers with driving electrodes and lines. The panel addresses the challenge of combining these functionalities without compromising display performance or touch sensitivity. The invention includes a third conductive layer that forms part of the touch sensing system. This layer contains second driving electrodes for touch detection and a second driving line adjacent to these electrodes. The second driving line is positioned to facilitate signal routing or grounding, improving touch accuracy and reducing interference. The conductive layers are structured to avoid optical interference with the OLED display while maintaining electrical conductivity for touch sensing. The design ensures that the touch panel operates efficiently without degrading display quality, enabling seamless integration in modern electronic devices. The adjacent placement of the second driving line and electrodes optimizes signal transmission and minimizes layout complexity. This configuration enhances the panel's reliability and responsiveness, making it suitable for high-performance applications. The invention focuses on improving the electrical and optical properties of the touch panel while maintaining compatibility with existing OLED display technologies.
7. A method of forming an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel, comprising: forming an OLED structure on a substrate, the OLED structure comprising an anode, a cathode, and an OLED layer; arranging the OLED layer between the anode and the cathode; forming an encapsulating layer on the OLED structure; forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on the encapsulating layer; the first conductive layer comprising a plurality of first driving electrodes; the second conductive layer comprising a plurality of first sensing electrodes; forming an insulating layer to cover the first conductive layer; the insulating layer configured to separate the first conductive layer from the second conductive layer; forming a sensing conductive layer on the insulating layer; the sensing conductive layer contacting the plurality of first sensing electrodes; forming a third conductive layer and a plurality of second sensing electrodes on the sensing conductive layer, wherein the third conductive layer comprises a plurality of second driving electrodes; the plurality of second sensing electrodes overlapping the plurality of first sensing electrodes one-on-one.
This invention relates to the fabrication of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch panel, addressing the integration of touch sensing functionality with OLED display technology. The method involves forming an OLED structure on a substrate, which includes an anode, a cathode, and an OLED layer positioned between them. An encapsulating layer is then deposited over the OLED structure to protect it. A first conductive layer is formed on the encapsulating layer, containing multiple first driving electrodes, followed by a second conductive layer with multiple first sensing electrodes. An insulating layer is applied to separate the first and second conductive layers. A sensing conductive layer is then formed on the insulating layer, making contact with the first sensing electrodes. Finally, a third conductive layer with multiple second driving electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes are formed on the sensing conductive layer, where the second sensing electrodes overlap the first sensing electrodes in a one-to-one arrangement. This configuration enables both display and touch sensing functions in a single integrated structure, improving device efficiency and reducing manufacturing complexity.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: forming an isolating layer on the sensing conductive layer such that the isolating layer covers the first conductive layer; the third conductive layer and the sensing conductive layer are separated by the isolating layer.
A method for fabricating a capacitive sensing device addresses the challenge of ensuring reliable electrical isolation between conductive layers in touch-sensitive applications. The method involves forming an isolating layer on a sensing conductive layer, ensuring that the isolating layer fully covers a first conductive layer. This isolating layer creates a separation between a third conductive layer and the sensing conductive layer, preventing electrical interference or short circuits. The process ensures proper insulation while maintaining the functionality of the capacitive sensing mechanism. The isolating layer acts as a barrier, enhancing the device's durability and performance by preventing unintended electrical contact between the conductive layers. This method is particularly useful in touchscreens, touchpads, and other capacitive sensing applications where precise and stable electrical isolation is critical. The technique improves manufacturing consistency and reduces defects related to conductive layer interactions.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein a step of forming the sensing conductive layer on the insulating layer comprises: forming the sensing conductive layer and a plurality of third driving electrodes on the insulating layer simultaneously; forming the plurality of third driving electrodes and the sensing conductive layer simultaneously with the same conductive material; the plurality of third driving electrodes being not connected to each other nor to the sensing conductive layer.
This invention relates to touch-sensitive display technology, specifically improving the integration of sensing and driving electrodes in a touch panel. The problem addressed is the complexity and cost of manufacturing separate layers for sensing and driving electrodes, which increases production time and material usage. The solution involves forming a sensing conductive layer and multiple third driving electrodes simultaneously on an insulating layer using the same conductive material. The third driving electrodes are isolated from each other and from the sensing conductive layer, allowing them to function independently. This approach reduces manufacturing steps by eliminating the need for separate deposition and patterning processes for the sensing and driving components. The simultaneous formation also ensures precise alignment and uniformity, improving touch sensitivity and reliability. The third driving electrodes may be used for additional touch detection or display driving functions, enhancing the panel's versatility. This method streamlines production while maintaining performance, making it suitable for high-volume manufacturing of touch-sensitive displays.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first conductive layer is indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide or silver nanowires (AgNW).
A method for fabricating transparent conductive films involves depositing a first conductive layer on a substrate, where the first conductive layer is composed of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or silver nanowires (AgNW). These materials are chosen for their high transparency and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for applications in touchscreens, displays, and photovoltaic devices. The first conductive layer is deposited using techniques such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, or solution-based coating, depending on the material. The method ensures uniform deposition to achieve optimal optical and electrical properties. The substrate may be flexible or rigid, including materials like glass, plastic, or polymer films. The first conductive layer is then patterned or treated to enhance performance, such as improving adhesion, reducing sheet resistance, or increasing transparency. The method may also include additional layers, such as barrier layers or adhesion promoters, to improve durability and functionality. The resulting transparent conductive film is used in electronic devices requiring both transparency and conductivity.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of second sensing electrodes and the third conductive layer are simultaneously formed by a second conductive material.
A system and method for fabricating a capacitive touch sensor array involves forming multiple conductive layers to detect touch inputs. The invention addresses challenges in manufacturing touch-sensitive devices by simplifying the fabrication process while maintaining sensor performance. The method includes depositing a first conductive material to form a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a first conductive layer, which are electrically insulated from each other. A second conductive material is then used to simultaneously form a plurality of second sensing electrodes and a third conductive layer, which are also electrically insulated from each other. The second sensing electrodes intersect the first sensing electrodes to create a grid for touch detection. The third conductive layer serves as a shield or ground plane to reduce interference. By forming the second sensing electrodes and the third conductive layer in a single step, the manufacturing process is streamlined, reducing costs and complexity. The resulting touch sensor array provides accurate touch detection while minimizing electromagnetic interference. This approach is particularly useful in applications requiring high-performance touch interfaces, such as smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second conductive material is a metal mesh.
A method for fabricating an electronic device involves forming a conductive structure with improved electrical and mechanical properties. The method addresses challenges in achieving reliable conductivity while maintaining flexibility and durability in electronic components. The process includes depositing a first conductive material on a substrate, followed by depositing a second conductive material over the first. The second conductive material is a metal mesh, which enhances electrical conductivity and structural integrity. The metal mesh provides a robust conductive path while allowing flexibility, making it suitable for applications requiring bendable or stretchable electronics. The combination of the first and second conductive materials ensures efficient charge transport and mechanical stability, addressing issues such as signal loss and mechanical failure in conventional conductive structures. This approach is particularly useful in flexible displays, wearable electronics, and other devices where both conductivity and flexibility are critical. The metal mesh structure also improves adhesion and reduces stress concentrations, further enhancing the device's reliability.
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September 8, 2020
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